Compare the2027 Kia Telluride VS 2027 Chrysler Pacifica

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Kia Telluride have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Chrysler Pacifica doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

Both the Telluride and Pacifica have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Telluride has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Pacifica’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Telluride has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Pacifica doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

With its standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, the Kia Telluride is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Chrysler Pacifica, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Telluride	Pacifica
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-4 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-6 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-1 MPH
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-22 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	1.8 sec	1.4 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-23 MPH	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.2 sec	No Warning

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Kia Telluride achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Chrysler Pacifica has not been tested.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Telluride AWD’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The Pacifica doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Kia Telluride’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system is only offered on some models of the Chrysler Pacifica.

Both the Telluride and Pacifica have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Telluride has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Pacifica’s Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

The Telluride’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Telluride and the Pacifica have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all-wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Telluride is much safer than the Pacifica:

	Telluride	Pacifica
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg Forces L/R	405/495 pounds	472/742 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Chest Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Kia Telluride is safer than the Pacifica:

	Telluride	Pacifica
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	44	167
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	335 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.79 in	.94 in
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	1.26 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	759 lbs.	848 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	44	83
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.35 in	1.1 in
Shoulder Force	89 lbs.	424 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.38 in	1.97 in
Torso Deflection Rate	8 MPH	12 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	POOR
Pelvis Force	357 lbs.	1450 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Kia Telluride (built after June 2026) has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The Pacifica is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

The Telluride comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Pacifica’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Telluride 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Chrysler covers the Pacifica. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Pacifica ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Chrysler vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chrysler is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 86 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Chrysler is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 12 places higher in reliability than Chrysler.

The Telluride’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 49 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 262) than the Pacifica’s 3.6 DOHC V6. The Telluride’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 42 more horsepower (329 vs. 287) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (339 vs. 262) than the Pacifica’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Kia Telluride 4 cyl. hybrid gas is faster than the Chrysler Pacifica:

	Telluride	Pacifica
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	8.2 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	16.3 sec	22.5 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.8 sec	8.5 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.5 sec	4.2 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.3 sec	6.2 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	16.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95 MPH	87 MPH
Top Speed	135 MPH	111 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Telluride gets better mileage than the Pacifica:

			MPG
Telluride
	FWD	EX 2.5 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	34 city/36 hwy
		EX 2.5 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	32 city/34 hwy
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	30 city/32 hwy
Pacifica
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/28 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	17 city/25 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Telluride Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Telluride has a standard locking fuel door, which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Pacifica. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

For more complete vehicle control the Telluride has a manually controlled automatic, with the available convenience of an automatic transmission and the complete gear control of a manual transmission without the inconvenience of a clutch. A manually controlled automatic allows the driver to eliminate unwanted shifts and maximize engine braking by down shifting while cornering. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a transmission that allows complete gear control.

For better stopping power the Telluride’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the Pacifica:

	Telluride	Pacifica
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	13 inches

The Telluride’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Pacifica are solid, not vented.

The Telluride stops shorter than the Pacifica:

	Telluride	Pacifica
70 to 0 MPH	176 feet	185 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	131 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Telluride X-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pacifica (265/45R21 vs. 245/50R20).

The Telluride X-Line’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Pacifica’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Telluride has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Pacifica. The Telluride X-Line’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Pacifica.

The Telluride has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Pacifica; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Telluride has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Telluride flat and controlled during cornering. The Pacifica 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Telluride offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Telluride’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the Pacifica’s (55% to 45%). This gives the Telluride more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the Telluride’s turning circle is .5 feet tighter than the Pacifica’s (39.2 feet vs. 39.7 feet). The Telluride’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Pacifica AWD’s (39.2 feet vs. 40.2 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Telluride has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Pacifica (7.4 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the Telluride to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Telluride X-Pro’s minimum ground clearance is 3.7 inches higher than on the Pacifica (9.1 vs. 5.4 inches).

The Telluride is 4.6 inches shorter than the Pacifica LX, making the Telluride easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces. The Telluride is 5.1 inches shorter than the Pacifica.

The Telluride has .3 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more rear headroom and 4 inches more rear legroom than the Pacifica.

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Telluride’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Pacifica doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The Telluride’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Pacifica’s (5000 vs. 3600 pounds).

A Trailer Stability Assist is standard on the Telluride, using the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the Pacifica and isn’t available on the Pacifica LX/Select.

The Telluride uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Pacifica uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Telluride Prestige has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction, infotainment and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Pacifica doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

On a hot day the Telluride’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Pacifica can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Telluride’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Pacifica LX’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Telluride’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Pacifica’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The Telluride EX/SX/Prestige has standard front air conditioned seats and the Telluride Prestige also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Pacifica doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Telluride Prestige has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Pacifica.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia Telluride has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console for two separate devices. Wireless charging costs extra on the Pacifica, and only charges one device.

The Telluride Prestige’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Pacifica doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2027 Kia Telluride retains 51.21% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 45.33% resale value of the 2026 Chrysler Pacifica after five years, which can save the Kia’s owner up to $5454 in depreciation.

Motor Trend selected the Telluride as their 2020 Sport Utility of the Year. The Pacifica has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Telluride as the 2020 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Pacifica was last chosen in 2017.

The Kia Telluride outsold the Chrysler Pacifica by 12% during 2025.